OUR VIEW: Prayers for Pope Francis

As the white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel Wednesday afternoon, around these parts, the anticipation of a pope possibly hailing from Massachusetts was palpable. But as the Habemus Papam (“We have a Pope!”) announcement was made, introducing Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina as Pope F...

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

Writer

Posted Mar. 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 14, 2013 at 2:22 PM

Posted Mar. 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 14, 2013 at 2:22 PM

» Social News

As the white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel Wednesday afternoon, around these parts, the anticipation of a pope possibly hailing from Massachusetts was palpable. But as the Habemus Papam (“We have a Pope!”) announcement was made, introducing Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina as Pope Francis, there was some local letdown in the realization that Cardinal Sean O’Malley would not be the new pope.

O’Malley served as the bishop of Fall River from 1992-2002, along his way to being named archbishop of Boston in 2003. But O’Malley didn’t seem to mind remaining a cardinal: “He’s a prisoner in a museum,” quipped O’Malley, of the new pope, Thursday. “It’s not a wonderful life.” And although the favorite son was not chosen, area Catholics have embraced the selection of a South American to serve as their new spiritual leader.

O’Malley and the cardinals who elected Francis made a significant step in choosing a leader from the New World for the first time in the Church’s long history. By selecting Bergoglio as the 266th pope, the church also recognizes a big shift in Church demographics. While the number of European Catholics has significantly declined, Latin American Catholics now represent 40 percent of the world’s Catholic population. Locally, the selection of a pope from Latin America represents a significant development for the large number of Catholics who have immigrated from that region and, in large numbers, fill the pews of churches in our area.

Certainly, the 76-year-old Pope Francis faces a tall order in reviving a declining church. He must continue the work begun by Benedict to address the ongoing crisis of clergy sex abuse. “He did a great deal of wonderful work in spiritual renewal, in responding to the sexual abuse problem in a very compassionate way and in assisting the poor and those who are needy in whatever way it was possible to do,” Fall River Bishop George Coleman said of Bergoglio’s pastoral work in Argentina. Part CEO and part pastor, Pope Francis must also work hard to repair the dysfunctional Vatican bureaucracy believed to have been in a factor in Benedict’s nearly unprecedented resignation.

Some Catholics and others see Pope Francis as sort of a kinder, gentler and more humble version of the previous pope, Benedict XVI. Judging by his previous writings and stances, those frustrated with the Roman Catholic Church’s dogmatic resistance to more progressive social issues, such as equality for gays and women, will likely not find much of a change in that direction with the new pontiff. That may not bode well for a church that has alienated many from its ranks.

However, Francis’ Jesuit roots could lead to an even greater infusion of resources and spiritual renewal related to the Church’s already impressive functions of helping the poor, both locally and around the world. Interestingly, Francis shunned the normal elaborate vestments traditionally worn by popes when they have been introduced to the world. Instead, true to his humble character and background, he wore a simple white robe.

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The name Bergoglio chose is telling, perhaps underscoring a keen understanding of the many tasks at hand. “Francis” associates the new pope with the popular Italian saint, St. Francis of Assisi, known for peace, poverty and simplicity. Jesus is said to have charged a young Francis — who had shunned his family’s wealth — with a crucial role: To “Rebuild My Church.” Francis will face the important task of spreading the church’s appeal to other areas of the world as well as making it appealing for the many Catholics who have left the church in the U.S. and Europe. Along those lines, another “famous Francis” — St. Francis Xavier — is the 16th century missionary and founder of the Jesuit order, who spread the Catholic faith as far as India and Japan.

While not everyone shares the Catholic faith, the pope has a prominent role as a world leader with significant influence in shaping policy. May all people of faith pray for the Roman Catholics’ new leader to find the strength and wisdom to serve as a conscience for the world in our rapidly changing — and increasingly secular — society.